AIMMM Proposes that Armed Forces should Stop the Operation and State Government should Undertake Repair and Restoration of All Religious Places Damaged since 1989

New Delhi, 2 June, 2007: ‘The AIMMM has noted the growing opposition to"Operation Sadbhawana", launched by the Armed Forces in Jammu & Kashmir for repairing or restoring the Muslim shrines damaged in the course of the insurgency and anti insurgency operation.

The AIMMM recalls that in the rest of the country, whenever a religious place is damaged in a communal incident, the Muslim community demands its repair or restoration by the authorities. In a state like Tamil Nadu, the Muslim community has demanded that any scheme for conservation and restoration of ancient Hindu temples be extended to ancient masjids. The most prestigious mosque in the country the Jama Masjid, Delhi is not a protected monument, but it has atleast twice been allocated Central funds for its repair and restoration .

But the AIMMM feels that situation in Kashmir has its own particularities because of the long spell of confrontation between the militants and the Armed Forces since 1989 in which the people have grievously suffered. This situation has been further complicated by the negative official response to the demand for demilitarisation. The Armed Forces continue to occupy private houses and orchards and even public land and buildings. The AIMMM feels that progressively lowering the profile of Armed Forces in cities and towns would help in reconciliation.

Goodwill is always spontaneous; it can never be imposed by compulsion, however laudable the motive. In any case, repair and restoration of places of worships damaged in civil conflicts is not a function of the Armed Forces, but of the civil authorities.

The AIMMM, therefore, proposes that the Armed Forces should stop the mis-conceived Operation and the State government should step in with a scheme for repair and restoration, on request from the local communities, of all places of worship across the State, damaged since 1989’.